Riverhead Crowns 2014 Champions Sunday Before Packed House at Annual Luncheon

An overflow crowd gathered Sunday afternoon at Joe’s Garage & Grill for the annual Riverhead Raceway Champion’s Luncheon where Howie Brode of East Islip for the second year in a row headed up the parade of champions as the 2014 NASCAR Modified champion. For Brode it was his third career track title, his first championship was in 1998.

Prior to the awards being presented host Bob Finan took a moment to remember Peggy Smith, Tom O’Keefe, Barry Huberman and Joel McElearney who passed away since the last race meet in September. When it was time to hand out trophies Co-Chief Stewards Mike Cappiello and Steve Tooker along with NASCAR Chief Inspector Walter Bonzcyk joined Bob center stage.

Aside from the championship hardware from Riverhead Raceway and track owners Barbara & Jim Cromarty, Howie was also presented a large championship plaque from NASCAR and the Whelen All American Series. Brode joined by car owner Peter Clark at the front of the room also took home for the second year in a row the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Long Island Driver’s Cup which has been presented to the NASCAR Modified champion annually since 2001.

Tom Rogers Jr., Ryan Preece, Jason Agugliaro and Kyle Ellwood placed second through fifth in the final NASCAR Modified rankings and were awarded trophies for their accomplishments. Dave Sapienza was voted to have the Best Appearing Car while Jeffrey Goodale was named 2014 Rookie of the Year.

For the third time in the past four years Mike Bologna of Melville was honored as the Late Model champion.  After he and car owner Tom Tohn were presented their hardware Mike made an emotional remembrance of how Joel McElearney who passed away last week was instrumental in getting him involved with stock car racing as several members of Joel’s family looked on choking back tears.

Jeremy McDermott, Chris LaSpisa, Kevin Metzger and Roger Oxee were all on hand to accept their second through fifth place awards. Jeremy McDermott was named Best Appearing Car while Chris Lescenski took home Rookie of the Year honors.

For an amazing 9th time in his illustrious career Roger Maynor of Bay Shore was feted as the Figure Eight champion driver and car owner and told all the oval racers in the house how they should perhaps try racing in the class. Maynor noted that Figure Eight racing offered the best return financially of all the support divisions.

Tom Rogers Jr., Ken Hyde Jr., Mike Mujsce and Scott Pedersen were second through fifth in Figure Eight points. Tom Rogers Jr. was voted Best Appearing Car while Bryan Quilliam took Rookie of the Year honors.

Another driver backing up his 2013 championship would be Charger champion Eric Zeh of Selden who scored his second title in a row and was honored along with his fiance’ Allison. In his speech Eric of course noted how this championship was dedicated to his grandfather Carl Zeh, a legendary NASCAR Modified car owner who passed away a year ago.

Chris Turbush, Ray Minieri, CJ Lehmann and Cory Midgett were second through fifth in the final Charger standings. John Baker was named to have the Best Appearing Car while Greg Immerman won Rookie of the Year.

For the third time in his Blunderbust driving career Tom Pickerell of Huntington was crowned champion in the popular class with his daughter Dimitra joining him as his car owner. In one of the afternoon’s more humorous moments Pickerell turned to emcee Bob Finan and asked him to thank his sponsors for him.

Jack Handley Jr., Bill Wegmann Sr., Jimmy White Jr., and Brian Brown rounded out the top five in the Blunderbust standings. Jimmy White Jr. was named to have the Best Appearing Blunderbust.

Tested tough Super Pro Truck veteran Lou Maestri of Deer Park for the fourth time in his career was honored as champion but leave no doubt this one was toughest by far for Lou and truck owner John Kirk. After the final race of the year on September 20th Lou and Erin Dumicich wound up tied in points and the tie breaker would go down to runner-up finishes.

Erin Dumicich, Mark Stewart, Mike Albasini and Roger Turbush were second through fifth in the class for 2014. Jimmy Rennick Jr. was tabbed Best Appearing Super Pro Truck.

Kyle Soper of Manorville for the first time in his budding career was honored as the 2014 Legend Race Car champion and joined by his car owner and father Tom.  Kyle thanked all that needed to be thanked and then told the crowd how he looked forward to embarking on the next step in his racing journey, the NASCAR Modifieds in 2015.

Brad Van Houten, Richie Davidowitz, Artie Pedersen III and Vinny Delaney were second through fifth. Steve Smith was voted Best Appearing Car.

Jimmy “The Kid’ White Jr. of Southampton took home his first career Demolition Derby track championship and was the first of the eight track champions to be honored in the annual parade of champions.

Riverhead Raceway would like to thank Eddie & Connie Partridge of Hoosier Tire of Calverton for providing the stock car champions with Hoosier Racing jackets. Also thank you to Wild Child Designs for supplying the Best Appearing Car plaques for 2014.

With the 2014 season officially in the books attention now turns to the 65th season of stock car racing at Barbara & Jim Cromarty’s Riverhead Raceway with opening weekend set for Saturday May 2nd and Sunday May 3rd. For the entire 2015 schedule as well as rules please visit www.riverheadraceway.com.